Irrigating grasslands leads to enormous gains in productivity. In the middle of the summer, irrigation allows plants to carry out aerial morphogenesis and maintain an optimal range of temperatures. In temperate zones, drought-resistant species are those that can mobilise greater amounts of water. In the Mediterranean region, irrigation is the only option during the period of summer stasis, when plants adapted to this climate limit their production; if the use of irrigation is considered in this region, it should target temperate plant varieties. Recently developed grass varieties are particularly well adapted to take advantage of irrigation. Rain and soil moisture sensors, good soil reserve assessments, and reliable short-term weather forecasts make it possible to create efficient, high-performance irrigation systems that can be closely monitored and used for both grasslands and field crops. However, large-scale irrigation is not possible even if more seeded and natural grasslands are needed to facilitate agroecological transitions. Climate projections and their predicted impacts on surface and groundwater resources offer little hope of increased water availability. A significant number of farmers, including those with grassland-based livestock systems, are likely to face water shortages even as the risk of drought increases. Consequently, improving rain fed systems is key.
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